Salt Lake City New Moon DVD Release Party
Posted on 20. Mar, 2010 by lisa in News
Fans turned out in droves to the New Moon DVD Release Party in Salt Lake City, Utah. The biggest highlight, of course, was a visit from some of our favorite Twilight Saga humans, Christian Serratos (Angela), Justin Chon (Eric), and Mike Welch (Mike). The massive event was emceed by local radio personality and huuuuuuge Twilight fan, Erin of B98.7.
The three stars worked the crowd upon arrival and then fans were treated to a Q & A led by Erin. Twilight Mom, Kirsten (aka Klemz) was even pulled on stage and then asked to tell the audience which cast member smelled the best! (She was much more reserved than I would have been!) In the end, Mike’s cologne proved irresistible as he stood head back, eyes closed, arms out, inviting the lucky Twilight Mom to smell away!
Christian Serratos was gorgeous and is absolutely a sweetheart! She spoke about her experience working on each movie and the way everyone was like family even though each movie is helmed by a different director there’s still a strong bond built on each set.
Justin Chon got the screams going with his energy! He can flirt with a crowd like no other! And I don’t think my hearing has come back all the way yet after the response from his telling fans he is indeed single.
Mike was asked about his darker hair color which he says is not for a movie, he just wanted to go a little darker and try it out. Light or dark he was lookin’ great and gave great attention to the fans surrounding the stage front, side and back, not leaving anyone out.
Riverton Walmart hosted the crazy loud event and kudos to them for taking great care of the fans waiting hours on end to catch a glimpse of the stars. They had free cookies, cake, punch, even cases of bottled water to keep everyone from dehydrating! and all kinds of excellent swag ranging from sparkly stickers to official Twilight Saga merchandise… and we’re not talkin’ any cheap stuff either! They went all out!!!
Only the first 300 fans in line got to meet the cast and receive autographed DVD’s. The store management and employees took some heat from disappointed fans for this, despite Riverton Walmart not having any say over how many people would be allowed through for autographs. However, managers tried to raise as many fans’ spirits as they could by just giving away merchandise like the collector’s edition Edward and Jacob Barbie Dolls and other official New Moon memorabilia. A round of applause to Riverton Walmart for being the classiest host for a New Moon DVD Party and for caring so much for the fans!
I don’t know what the official count on attendance was but I know last year Rachelle Lefevre drew 2500 fans to this same location and this year’s crowd at least matched that turnout! What a party!!!
Thank you Justin, Christian, Mike and to everyone at the Riverton Walmart!!!
10 Responses to “Salt Lake City New Moon DVD Release Party”
Heather Sholtis
21. Mar, 2010
All though I would love to agree with you on everything positive that you claim in the above article, as one of the thousands of fans stuck and crammed into isles it is hard to look positively on that evening. I have been to every release party done here in Utah and will have to say, that it is my shared opinion that last nights was the worst. I did however answer one of your trivia ?’s correctly, which was the highlight of my evening. Other than that, those of us totally unaware of what was happening did not even get the opportunity to get a glimpse of the stars that showed up… Including the guy in the purple shirt that you have looking so happy in your pictures. He was standing right behind me… And let me just say, he did not look that happy when we left. As for free merchandise being handed out to make up for the event, I personally do not know one person who received anything. And I do know quite a few people that attended. I’m sure for you special few who got to be up close and personal it was a fantastic evening. So how do you become a twilight mom so I can stand up there with you guys next time? I know I meet the qualifications. I am a HUGE all things Twilight fan and I am a mother. Is there anything else?
Meagan Zemp
21. Mar, 2010
Heather I agree with you. The guy in the Purple shirt was infront of us and not a happy camper as he found out and alot of people left angry. I also don’t know any one that got free merch.
It was actually hard to find any information from the media about that event that wasn’t all positive. I think it was because all the media left before they did so they didn’t know what had happend. Don’t worry though, I blogged all about my personal experience, I was really upset not for me but for the handicap girl that was behind us.
I think Wal-mart should have at least set up a better intercom so that all the people lined up throughout the isles could have at least heard or known what was going on. And if the 300 people with the tickets were the only ones that were going to have let them meet them and get autographs. They should never had allowed all the other people to wait in the line. They should have just refused them, and that would have at least saved people from being so angry.
My question is, where is everyone getting the 5000 number of people? If there were 5000 people in the store they WEREN’T all in the line to meet them, because I was in the line and there may have been about 1000-1500 people in the line, but the majority of the people I saw were standing in the large isle and outside the roped areas trying to see the celebs.
Alison Pliley
21. Mar, 2010
Thank you Twilightmoms and the Walmart for trying.
We, my two friends and I, understand that it was not in eithers control whether or not the celebs stayed longer to sign autographs, however it was discouraging to learn this at the event and not before. The only thing I found disappointing was that we were not informed a head of time about the limit of tickets available for autographs, 300, and that it was up to them to stay and do more after.
I am certain that had we known we would have been able to make the necessary arrangements, however I can’t say the entire night was a waste. It was a really good time hanging out with my friends, seeing the Q&A session, being part of the screaming and of course grabbing my blue ray copy of the movie, which face it is why we went at midnight anyway. Mike, Angela and Eric were very funny and seemed to take the size of the crowd with extreme grace. Even though I was not able to meet them up close I’m still glad I was able to be in the same building and hear their comments.
Twilightmoms & Walmart thank you again for putting on this event and don’t lose heart, some of us who waited inline and left without getting an autograph still think you are amazing.
Rach
21. Mar, 2010
I read on Deseret News about the 5,000 number: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700018151/Fans-howl-for-aposNew-Moonapos-at-Riverton-Walmart.html
Tracy
21. Mar, 2010
Apparently, it was not expected to have 4000 people there. The security was obviously on edge yelling. I heard it was the concern from Summit and the store that the three leave after 350. A concern for their safety. They wish they could have stayed longer. They even went to their twitter about it. I saw on Justins and Christians twitter @cserratos. They were very sweet and down to earth. Love for the humans!
Brandee Moyes
21. Mar, 2010
I was at the WalMart as well and I’m not sure where Des News got that figure, but it certainly wasn’t from the people actually in line hoping to get something signed. The crowd, at least where I was lined up, was quite friendly and under control, so I’m also not sure why Summit was concerned with safety issues. Unless, they are considering the boos that came as the stars waved goodbye?
I was quite disappointed in the way that the entire affair was handled. Not once during my 3 hours in line did I hear that only 300 fans would be allowed to get autographs. If I would have had this information beforehand, I certainly wouldn’t have wasted my time waiting around for something that wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t need to be at WalMart at midnight to get my copy of New Moon…I could have been comfortably asleep in my warm, cozy bed. How hard would it have been to have signs posted around the store? Why did they have an area for a line roped off that accomodated well over 300 people? What do these 300 people do that they can just drop everything and spend all day camped out in a WalMart? I’m a mom who likes Twilight too, but I have kids that have to be taken care of.
We all assumed that because there was an area roped off for fans to line up that we would be allowed to pass through and have something signed. Well, I suppose we all know what happens when we ASSume.
amber
22. Mar, 2010
stood in line for 5 hours, was in the middle of a crowded aisle with my friends when the actors showed up, could not hear or see a thing, didnt hear the q and a at all. was very disappointed to hear that they left so quickly when rachel lefevre was gracious to stay and make sure her fans that stood in oline to see her for hours were happy when she came for the twilight release. still a huge fan but not sure i will attend another release it was a waste of my time to not be able to hear anything or see anything except for towels and bathroom supplies
darby
22. Mar, 2010
What does everyone expect when Celebs are going to be there? To be right up front? Of course it’s going to be packed. I knew that people would be waiting hours on end that day. I went to the Centerville Wal-mart right at 11:30pm and only 70-80 people were ahead of me. By the time it was midnight, 200 or so were behind me. That wal-mart also had raffles, food and drinks. Thanks!! Be realistic everyone!
Anna
22. Mar, 2010
I want to thank Twilightmoms and Walmart for a wonderful event. My daughter and I had a great time. I know it must have been a lot of hard work, but we sure enjoyed ourselves. We look forward to the Eclipse release party! Thanks again!
Katiedidz
23. Mar, 2010
I would also like to thank Wal-Mart and Twilightmoms. I know that my experience is largley influenced by the fact that I was one of the lucky who was able to get the little blue ticket and a meet the great cast members.
It was a night to remember and a once in a life time experience! I was able to capture some moments and posted them on my youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/katiedidz1980
I hope that all those that had a negative experience will not influence the Wal-Mart in Riverton to NOT do this again!
I look forward to when Eclipse comes out on DVD and driving as fast as I can to get a good spot in line and my heart racing and praying that I will be one of the lucky ones to meet who ever is there that was apart of this great Saga!
Thanks again!
From one lucky lucky and grateful Twi-Hard!